Patek Philippe

In 1997, Patek Philippe inaugurated its state-of-the-art manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, a mere 7 kilometers from the heart of Geneva. Conceived by then-President Philippe Stern and his son Thierry, the facility represented a pivotal milestone in the brand’s evolution. It was not only designed to house all watchmaking disciplines under one roof but also created as a sanctuary for artisanal watchmaking, traditional Rare Handcraft techniques, and a hub for horological research and innovation.

To commemorate this monumental achievement, Patek Philippe created an exclusive series of just 30 minute-repeating wristwatches: ten each in yellow gold, pink gold, and platinum. Delivered exclusively through the Geneva Salon, these watches were offered only to the most esteemed collectors. The chosen design was entirely new—a minute repeater cased in a classically inspired officer-style case—marking the first time the complication appeared in this format, inspired by Patek’s case designs dating back to 1915.

Distinguished by its elegant rounded case, straight lugs secured with visible screws, and a hinged caseback opening at 3 o’clock (to accommodate the repeater slide at 9 o’clock), the case itself is a feat of artisanal craftsmanship. Patek Philippe entrusted this monumental project to Jean-Pierre Hagmann, the most revered case maker of his era. Hagmann’s legacy is indelibly linked with Patek Philippe’s most complicated and precious timepieces. He remains the only case maker permitted to stamp his personal maker’s mark—JHP—on Patek Philippe cases, a detail found only on the most exceptional creations, including early examples of reference 3979 and the legendary reference 3974.

The present watch, reference 5029P, is one of just ten examples cased in platinum. It houses the automatic caliber R 27 PS, featuring a 22k gold micro-rotor, 39 jewels, and twin gongs that produce a deep, resonant chime. The movement is COSC-certified and bears the Geneva Seal—hallmarks of its technical and aesthetic excellence.

The striking black gilt dial, created by Stern Créations, is fitted with applied white gold Breguet numerals and matching hands—an aesthetic of refined understatement that complements the watch’s mechanical complexity.

So significant was the creation of reference 5029 that Patek Philippe took the extraordinary step of destroying the dies and tools used in its manufacture. No further examples would ever be made, ensuring the model’s absolute exclusivity and protecting its status as one of the brand’s most celebrated modern masterpieces.